To Mend That Which Is Broken

So I don't catch any flack later, 'Knight' is my family name. I needed something and I'm Irish, so why not? If I had more coffee, I would be more creative with names. Hahaha.

"I'm surprised our things survived as well as they did. Your book even lived."

Ed nodded and picked up the book that his brother pointed out in the pile of rescued items that people were rifling through. Al had made a small pile of clothes and supplies, carefully checking them over for burns that would make them useless. Ed ran his fingers over the cover of the book before flipping it open.

In the bright morning light, three words gleamed in bright red ink.

Don't come looking.

He raised his eyebrows and slowly closed the book, glancing over his shoulder before tapping Al's metal hip with his foot.

"I think that you were right Al."

He held the book out to the suit of armor and watched as his brother opened the book and read the line. Al's head tipped slightly to one side, his gleaming eyes dimming as he thought over the events of last night.

"Maybe we shouldn't. Maybe we should leave her alone."

Ed rolled his eyes and stooped to pick up his share of items. They would have to pick up a new bag to put their things in, but really, there wasn't much else that needed to be done. He would quietly question as many people as he could both about the attack on the inn and the strange alchemist that had vanished apparently into thin air.

"Come on Al. We'll get a few bags and a new room before doing anything else today."

………………………….

"Thank you."

"You're lucky to have gotten out of that fire. Everybody was."

Ed handed the middle aged man who spoke a few bills and picked up the two suitcases that he had bought. The man looked the brothers up and down again before coughing quietly and pointing to a house across from the shop.

"Tell my wife that I told you that you could stay with us for a while. She'll be glad to have somebody to take care of. We've got a son was your age, and… she's missed him something terrible."

Al nodded and looked toward the house. Ed had always laughed at his brother, teasing that he would never grow up without a body, so no matter what he did, women would adore him. In fact, he was always pleased when his brother got to be a child. Over the years, he rarely got that chance.

"Thank you again, sir."

"Knight. Alexander Knight."

"Right. Thank you, Mr. Knight."

The two left the shop and walked to the house, each withdrawing into their own thoughts for the short walk. Ed had meant to ask the man if he knew anything about the Three Sisters that he had heard about, and if he knew where he could find them. Al was glad that his brother had momentarily forgotten, wanting to leave the three alone, as they obviously wanted.

Edward climbed the three steps to the door and knocked carefully, wondering what to expect. He had a vision in his head of a grumpy woman with a rolling pin and angry eyes. He almost fell over when a round woman with graying black hair and blue eyes opened the door and looked them over. When she spoke, Ed looked to Al, who shrugged his great metal shoulders.

Ed spoke to the woman in English, hoping that she understood.

"Ma'am, are you Mrs. Knight?"

The woman sighed and nodded.

"Yes. I'm Maggie Knight."

"Your husband, he wanted us to ask if we could stay here for a while…"

Maggie's eyes went glassy as she looked first Ed, then Al, over, her eyes lingering on the bags in their hands. She put a hand to her mouth and stepped back, nodding her head and making a gesture with her free hand to come in. She shut the door behind them and led them into a small room that was bare save for a bed and a lamp on a small table.

"My son's old room. I'm sure that he would be glad to have it used."

"Where…"

Ed shook his head and Al turned to look at Maggie, who was leaning against the wall for support, taking slow breaths and keeping her eyes covered with one hand. Her mouth was twisted into a frown and her chin shook slightly.

"Mrs. Knight…"

Maggie quickly straightened and ran a hand through her hair, not looking at the two for a moment. When she did, they saw that she was on the verge of tears, but she continued to smile.

"Don't worry yourself lad. What're your names?"

Ed set hit bag down and held out his real hand, a tiny smile on his face.

"I'm Edward Elric and that's my younger brother Alphonse."

Maggie's eyes looked at Ed's false limbs, visible through the gap between his pant leg and shoe and between his glove and sleeve, then fixed on Al as her expression softened into an almost maternal concern.

"What happened to you, you poor boys?"

Ed blinked and looked up at his brother and bit his lip. Al's eyes dimmed and Ed knew what was coming. Al may have years of life that should have toughened him and forced him out of being a child in his mind, but he knew that the baby in him would be pulled out by Maggie's overpowering… 'Mommy' aura.

"I'm…I'm going to take a shower. I'll be back…"

Edward stuttered and walked out quickly. He was tired and he knew he would get emotional if he stayed in the room while his brother told the story. He didn't know why they always seemed to tell people that much about their past. He glanced into rooms until he saw the shower with a few towels that had been folded on a shelf. He turned on the water and stripped quickly and got in, letting his mind wander while he scrubbed the stink of the fire out of his skin and hair.

………………………….

Maggie seated herself on the edge of the bed and motioned for Al to sit. The empty suit of armor sat on the floor in front of her and rested it's forehead on her knees.

"Tell me what happened, Alphonse. Maybe I can help."

And he did. He told her everything.